Dead Leaves in the Clouds
Lopez On The Runway Lyrics
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So we set sail
For California
No worries now
Frequent flier miles
Too much of a hassle
Dead leaves in the clouds
We sold our clothes to the bureaucrats
They were naked in the truth
We were as clothed as they come and we yelled
‘I wish, I wish I had never met you at all
I wish, I wish you weren't so predicatable'
We sold our hair to the ladies everywhere
They were jealous of our beauty
We were jealous of their valor, they yelled
‘We don't care about your curly locks
We just care about our cancer'
I said I know who I am to where I'm going to
But you saw right through the masquerade
All painted white to conceal my face at night
As I crept through the orchard to appeal to the magistrate
I think I do
We sold our eyes to the state
We were tired of people shouting
People screamin, they were yellin'
‘We don't care about your pinstriped suits
We just care about our taxes'
We sold our heart to the country with no name
A reputation preceding,
Unwanted fame and they yelled
‘I wish, I wish I had never met you at all
I wish, I wish you weren't so predicatable'
I said I know who I am to where I'm going to
But you saw right through the masquerade
All painted white to conceal my face at night
As I crept through the orchard to appeal to the magistrate
I think I do
The lyrics of "Dead Leaves in the Clouds" by Lopez On The Runway delve into themes of disillusionment, identity crisis, and societal expectations. The song opens with the imagery of setting sail for California, symbolizing a journey towards a new beginning or a fresh start. However, the carefree attitude is quickly juxtaposed with the realization that the pursuit of materialistic gains and societal standards can become burdensome, likened to dead leaves in the clouds - transient and ultimately fruitless.
The act of selling clothes to bureaucrats and hair to jealous women highlights the trade-offs individuals may make in conforming to societal norms and beauty standards. The dissatisfaction and regret expressed through the repeated wishes of never meeting someone and the longing for unpredictability suggest a sense of entrapment in a cycle of superficiality and expectations placed upon them.
The singer's internal struggle with identity is further explored through the lines "I know who I am to where I'm going to, but you saw right through the masquerade." This speaks to the facade the singer maintains to fit in, yet feeling exposed and vulnerable underneath. The reference to painting one's face white to conceal identity can symbolize a sense of hiding true emotions or intentions in order to navigate societal structures.
Selling eyes to the state and heart to a nameless country symbolizes a loss of individuality and autonomy to conform to external pressures and demands. The rejection of personal attributes like curly locks and pinstriped suits in exchange for societal priorities like health and taxes underscores the sacrifices made to uphold societal expectations, even if it means losing aspects of oneself in the process. The repeated wishes of never meeting someone and the desire for unpredictability reflect a yearning for freedom from societal constraints and a longing for authenticity in a world that values conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
So we set sail
Embarking on a journey towards a new beginning
For California
Heading towards a place symbolizing hope and dreams
No worries now
Leaving behind all troubles and anxieties
Frequent flier miles
Traveling often, leaving a trail of experiences behind
Too much of a hassle
Becoming burdensome and overwhelming
Dead leaves in the clouds
Signifying a sense of loss and confusion in the journey
We sold our clothes to the bureaucrats
Sacrificing material possessions for acceptance by authority figures
They were naked in the truth
Revealing their true selves without pretense
We were as clothed as they come and we yelled
Despite appearances, expressing regret and frustration
‘I wish, I wish I had never met you at all
Reflecting on past choices and their consequences
I wish, I wish you weren't so predictable'
Longing for spontaneity and unpredictability in relationships
We sold our hair to the ladies everywhere
Trading personal attributes for validation from others
They were jealous of our beauty
Envying qualities that were once cherished
We were jealous of their valor, they yelled
Feeling inadequate compared to those who held different virtues
‘We don't care about your curly locks
Rejecting superficial characteristics as unimportant
We just care about our cancer'
Prioritizing personal struggles and hardships over external appearances
I said I know who I am to where I'm going to
Confident in one's identity and direction in life
But you saw right through the masquerade
Recognizing the facade put up to hide true emotions
All painted white to conceal my face at night
Masking vulnerabilities and insecurities in darkness
As I crept through the orchard to appeal to the magistrate
Seeking validation and approval from authority figures
I think I do
Uncertain of one's true intentions and desires
We sold our eyes to the state
Sacrificing individual perspectives for conformity to societal norms
We were tired of people shouting
Exhausted by the noise and chaos of social expectations
People screamin, they were yellin'
Expressing frustration and anger towards oppressive voices
‘We don't care about your pinstriped suits
Disregarding superficial symbols of success and status
We just care about our taxes'
Prioritizing practical matters over material wealth
We sold our heart to the country with no name
Giving up emotional attachments for the sake of anonymity
A reputation preceding, unwanted fame and they yelled
Facing consequences of past actions and decisions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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